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» member profile:
baremic
» genre:
Jazz >
Smooth Jazz
» location:
Barry Aiken
» label: unsigned
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Barry Aiken
NEWS
To order Barry's latest CD, "Balboa Park" go to:
http://www.cdbaby.com/barryaiken
http://www.cdbaby.com/barryaiken
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I like to use the musical style, contemporary jazz, to describe my music. My past releases in this vein include "Sky High" from Flight 7 (San Diego) and "I Can't Believe" from 26West (Portland OR).
I now reside in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and have just released my solo debut CD "Balboa Park," which I produced, composed and played keyboards. I'm very excited and proud of this CD. The music on "Balboa Park" ranges from instrumental latin jazz to R&B and funk and also includes three great vocal performances from Keely Whitney and Mike Winkle. "Balboa Park's" strengths are the melodies, harmonic structure and great grooves highlighted by incredible performances given by the many talented musicians that contributed to this CD.
I now reside in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and have just released my solo debut CD "Balboa Park," which I produced, composed and played keyboards. I'm very excited and proud of this CD. The music on "Balboa Park" ranges from instrumental latin jazz to R&B and funk and also includes three great vocal performances from Keely Whitney and Mike Winkle. "Balboa Park's" strengths are the melodies, harmonic structure and great grooves highlighted by incredible performances given by the many talented musicians that contributed to this CD.
Why this name?
Using my name for the "Balboa Park" CD was a more difficult decision than you might think. My band from Portland, Gravity, contributed greatly in many of the twelve songs that are on the CD. Because of the few songs the band didn't appear on and my concern for future releases, I decided to put "Balboa Park" out under my name.
Do you play live?
Yes, I have played all up and down the west coast, from San Diego to Vancouver B.C. in addition to performing many places as a solo piano player. I am now gearing up for performances to support "Balboa Park."
As fun and challenging as the many studio sessions I have done are...if you're a true musician, playing live in front of an audience is what keeps you ticking.
Performing with Fred Karlin at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles with a 60 piece orchestra was really special for me as well as performing at the Catalina Jazz Festival with my band, Flight 7. There have been many special moments and I hope to have more.
As fun and challenging as the many studio sessions I have done are...if you're a true musician, playing live in front of an audience is what keeps you ticking.
Performing with Fred Karlin at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles with a 60 piece orchestra was really special for me as well as performing at the Catalina Jazz Festival with my band, Flight 7. There have been many special moments and I hope to have more.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
I think it's great for people like me, with home studios, who can complete projects locally, create a website and go to work promoting your music by means of the internet. Unfortunately that means anybody and it is hard to sift through all the independently released music to get to the good stuff you may be looking for. But, I am greatful for the technology that is out there and am way into it. I do, however, strongly prefer live players as opposed to MIDI when recording.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
I wouldn't throw away any opportunity that may present itself. However, I have learned and am learning more about the music business by releasing "Balboa Park" on my own. I will be getting my music to labels in the contemporary jazz field in hopes of getting signed, whether big or small.
Band History:
As I mentioned above, my original bands that I have performed and written for include:
Flight 7 - contemporary jazz (San Diego CA.)
Cal Scott Group - contemporary jazz (Portland OR.)
26West - adult contemporary pop (Portland OR.)
Andy Stokes Band - R&B (Portland OR.)
Gravity - contemporary jazz (Portland OR.)
I also stay busy composing background music for production libraries that provide music to TV networks and programs such as:
The History Channel, Golf Channel, A&E, ESPN, Lifetime and programs including Biography, Wheel of Fortune, Inside Edition, Americas Most Wanted, Party of Five and many others.
Flight 7 - contemporary jazz (San Diego CA.)
Cal Scott Group - contemporary jazz (Portland OR.)
26West - adult contemporary pop (Portland OR.)
Andy Stokes Band - R&B (Portland OR.)
Gravity - contemporary jazz (Portland OR.)
I also stay busy composing background music for production libraries that provide music to TV networks and programs such as:
The History Channel, Golf Channel, A&E, ESPN, Lifetime and programs including Biography, Wheel of Fortune, Inside Edition, Americas Most Wanted, Party of Five and many others.
Your influences?
My musical influences include jazz artists and groups such as Jeff Lorber, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, The Yellowjackets, Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea and the list goes on.
My pop influences were and still are Steely Dan, Toto, Michael McDonald.
My pop influences were and still are Steely Dan, Toto, Michael McDonald.
Favorite spot?
Since I am Canadian, I must say Banff for it's awesome beauty. In the states my vote goes to Lake Tahoe for the same reason (I'm kind of into mountains). However, I think I am living in a pretty incredible place now in Coeur d' Alene Idaho.
Equipment used:
Live, I play a Kurzweil PC88, Korg Triton LE and Korg O1W keyboards. My studio setup includes a Power Mac G4 running Digital Performer with MOTU 828 firewire audio and MOTU MTP AV MIDI interfaces. My board is a Mackie 1604 with Alesis Monitor Ones connected to various outboard effects, samplers and sound modules. I use an ADAT for outside recording as well as an Akai DR4d digital recorder. Most of my recording and mixing is now done completely in my DP3 enviroment using various audio plugins.
Anything else...?
Contact Barry Aiken at:
baremicmusic@yahoo.com
208-765-6030
http://www.cdbaby.com/barryaiken
or write to:
1263 E. Katie Ct.
Coeur d' Alene ID. 83815
baremicmusic@yahoo.com
208-765-6030
http://www.cdbaby.com/barryaiken
or write to:
1263 E. Katie Ct.
Coeur d' Alene ID. 83815